These button gift wrap looks seriously stole the show in our booth last week at Unique LA. It seems nearly everyone who came by remarked on them. People wanted the buttons... They wanted to learn how to wrap with the buttons... They wanted to know where to buy the buttons... Since they were such a hit—and truly are a fun and unexpected way to embellish a gift—it was decided a blog post was in order.

Of course, in doing this post, we are airing our dirty little secret—we horde craft supplies! Along with things like ribbon and washi tape, bags of mixed buttons often mysteriously find their way into our shopping carts, whether we are at the local craft store or scouting websites like Etsy.

As it turns out, it was a good thing we had them at our fingertips. When we styled the look book for our new Jana Lam collection this spring, they proved to be the perfect punch of color to help us create our gift wrap rainbow. (We totally knew we'd need them someday!)

Below are a few tips that we had in mind when we styled these wrappings, may they inspire you to get creative. Happy wrapping!

Buttons add a nice focal point and pop of color to your gift wrapping. If you are wrapping multiple boxes, switch up using them solo or in colorful groupings. The size of your box, and button(s) for that matter, may affect this decision, too.

Grouped buttons pack a punch, creating a fun opportunity to play with color, shape, size and texture. We cut our twine to length determined by how many times we wanted it to wrap around the box. Then we threaded the buttons one at a time, wrapping the twine around the box once in between. When all were threaded, we tied off the twine and slid the buttons around until we were happy with their arrangement. If the cord doesn't make it around to the bottom of the box, you can easily hide the knot behind one of the buttons.

Used as solo accents, they make an equally strong statement. Think of scale, playing the size of the box and button off each other.

Build texture by mixing and layering ribbons and twines

For texture and color we used a mix of ribbon, butcher's twine and colored raffia to create the looks you see here. You'll need thin cordages like these to thread through the buttons, but if you have a wider ribbon that matches perfectly, work it in as a base to layer on. In fact, we even used bands of tissue paper as "ribbons." A bit of a cheat as you can easily adjust it's width as you see fit, the tissue added a great pop of color.

Here's another tip: when skipping a bow, use tape to bind your ribbon rather than tying a knot. This allows you to keep a nice flat bottom to your box.

Have fun threading!

And this truly is the best part of using buttons as gift embellishments, it's just so versatile.

Thread multiple twines through a single button or string multiple buttons on a single twine. Tie a bow on top of the button, tie a bow beneath the button. Wrap your threaded buttons in just one direction or add a cross thread. Bunch the buttons up or stack them neatly in a line.

What else can you think of? We'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below.

RELATED POSTS:

ABOUT WRAPPILY:

Eco-friendly and adorably chic, Wrappily uses neighborhood newspaper presses to print great patterns on 100% recyclable and compostable newsprint—an answer to the millions of tons of trash attributed to wrapping paper every year. This smart, new take on wrapping paper is an idea who's time has come. Our founder set out on her mission to green-up giving in 2013, a journey filled with marvelously talented people who are creating amazing patterns for our wrapping paper. After all, we believe in beautifully wrapped gifts, but not at the expense of the environment.

More posts you'll love:

Bookmark this tutorial, you'll be referencing it well into the future. Professional gift wrapper Shiho Masuda shares step-by-step instruction for how to wrap a box like a pro, then top with these clever contrasting tuxedo pleats. Finished Product: Fancy! Required Skill Level: You Got This

It's the thought that counts, the old adage goes. Well, we propose pushing it a step further, that it's actually the thoughtfulness that counts. An ideal Valentine's gift reflects careful consideration of both your loved one's tastes and environmental and social impact. Landfill-bound plastic knickknacks, non-biodegradable mylar balloons, and bad drugstore candy are no way to express your love—unless the Valentine's message you're looking to convey is, I grabbed you something off a convenience store shelf?! Leave that stuff where it is and read on...

Make a $20 gift look like a million bucks? Yes, please. Professional gift wrapper Shiho Masuda of Paper Guru just released her latest master series video tutorial — 10 Creative Ways to Wrap Your Holiday Gifts — and it's devoted to Christmas gift wrapping using Wrappily. Enroll before Dec. 1 for an early bird discount, 20% off tuition and supplies!

If you've ever stared down a spool of ribbon, not really knowing how to make it look any fancier than your shoelaces, then this tutorial is for you. Paper Guru and gift wrap expert Shiho Masuda gives us a tutorial on three clever crafts to wrap up and top with a bow using our recyclable paper ribbon. Want to tie one on like a bowed-up ribbon master? Keep scrolling...

Use shells to top your next gift for a beautiful, beach-y touch. There's something extra special about sharing one of your treasures, and used as a gift topper, it puts that sentiment front and center. Here's a look at our new Tropical Dreams gift wrap collection. Layered with natural twines and a pop of colorful ribbon, the look makes a tropically inspired gift wrap look that works for any occasion.

In her latest installment, Paper Guru gives us a tutorial to make a DIY paper basket using Wrappily. We took the idea and created these inexpensive, yet exceedingly cute, table centerpieces for an outdoor summer party or picnic. After, they can be given away as parting favors. (Who wouldn't want to go home one of these sweet mini succulent gardens?)

What better time than spring to seek gift wrap inspiration from the garden. After the hiatus of winter, plants are blooming, these tips of new growth provide interesting clippings for topping a special gift. For advice on how to create these botanical looks successfully, we sourced floral designer Christina Hartman of Wildheart. Here are a few of her top tips for Spring...

Wrappily | Eco-friendly Gift Wrap

Wrap, rip, recycle! Wrappily offers a new take on wrapping paper. With the help of neighborhood newspaper presses, we take great patterns and print them on 100% recyclable newsprint. Emboldened with fresh designs, renewable newsprint is an answer to the millions of tons of trash generated by wrapping paper every year (and that's just in the U.S. alone!) We invite you to make one small change that will make a big difference: gift happily with Wrappily.